All Barossans agree that the future of the Barossa should be built on its advantage with shiraz and shiraz blends containing grenache and mataro. These flagships will expand over the next decade to include grenache and mataro predominant wines.

The Barossa Wine Show provided a chance to see how we are going with these styles. Not too well it would seem as there is still no class for mataro predominant wines and only 12 entries in the grenache class. As for those that are grouped under the category GSM's (class 15) the judging panel had this to say; "For what should be a highlight of the region, this class delivered below the mark. The top wine displayed an understated balance without relying on artefact-drinkability." I'm not certain what the last remark actually means.

As no gold medals were awarded that means no trophy was awarded. The highest pointed wine was the Teusner Joshua with 53 points (the sum of three judges points out of 20).

When the umpires speak you have to cop it though on reflection I'm not so sure. Since moving to the Barossa in 2005 I've got to know these styles well. The top pointed wine I've consumed half a dozen bottles of and my admiration for it grows and I see no reason not to give it gold. Tuesner makes a small amount of wine for my group and I've developed a good idea of what can and cannot be done with these varieties. Others that I'm very familiar with are the Kaesler Avignon 2006, a beautiful wine, worthy of gold, the Henschke Johanns Garden, Sieber Road, Langmeil Three Gardens, Yalumba, Ishtar, Gibson, and Grant Burge Abednego all of which have been pointed far too low. Entries cover three vintages 2007, 2006 and 2005 so it's not as if the judges found a specific vintage as being deficient.

I'm not sure what the judges want as I fail to see how many of these wines can be bettered. At times judges should take a humble pill before they begin judging as often the wines are not on show but they are. Let me explain. The Seppeltsfield DP117 Fino is one of the masterpieces of the world. A judge's view of whether this wine is a bronze (surely no one would see it as less), silver or gold is pointless as the wine is not being judged but the judge is.

Another aspect of shows that needs also to be asked is what is their point? This is a debate for another occasion but one of the benefits, indeed the major benefit is to promote the award winners for marketing purposes. We have much to learn from the French on this matter. I believe that the Chairman, David O'Leary should have stepped in and told the judges to work harder until they found the award winner. It does no good at all not to award a Trophy and indeed sends very bad signals.

Friday, 20th August, 2004

Thursday, 19th August, 2004

Wednesday, 23rd June, 2004

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